Got a gently used suit? It can help someone find a job

It hard to get a job without a “professional look” and that’s tough to get when you’re unemployed.

Men’s Wearhouse knows this and for the 6th year has launched the National Suit Drive, which collects gently used business attire donated from people who can spare it. The goal is to collect at least 150,000 suits throughout July to ease the problems of the millions of unemployed Americans and help them find good, quality jobs.

“The Men’s Wearhouse National Suit Drive provides opportunity to those who are less fortunate,” said Doug Ewert, president and CEO at Men’s Wearhouse. “A suit isn’t just about the outward appearance. It’s about bringing out the best in a man to give him the confidence to move toward success.”

In the first five years, The Men’s Wearhouse National Suit Drive gathered more than a half a million pieces of business attire, including 120,000 suits. This gave tens of thousands of people the tools of confidence needed to re-enter the workforce.

The National Bureau of Labor Statists says unemployment is decreasing, and while that may be true, there are still 11.8 million Americans out of work. One might say this proves the Men’s Wearhouse Suit Drive is still needed, but it also says it’s a big job to find the clothing needed.

To this end, more than 150 non-profits have teamed with Men’s Wearhouse. They help distribute the clothing and help those individuals with resume-building workshops, interview preparation and employment training programs. This year National Suit Drive is partnering with Jackets for Jobs – Michigan WORKS!, which aids its clients in being properly clothed for work as well as provides workplace training and preparedness programs to residents of Detroit in the throes of unemployment.

If you want to donate, bring gently used men’s shirts shoes, jackets, belts, ties, and especially suits, to any one of the Men’s Wearhouse locations in Detroit by July 31. They are accepting men’s and women’s professional wear. This year shoes and big and tall clothing are especially needed.

All donors of any kind will receive a tax receipt and a 50% off coupon (excluding shoes, clearance, and every day low price items) as a gift for their next visit.

If you want to raise awareness of the suit drive you can share the videos in this blog and images at the Men’s Wearhouse Facebook page or track donations there. You can also keep track on Twitter @MensWearhouse for real-time updates with #giveasuit. For every National Suit Drive mention on Facebook and Twitter, Men’s Wearhouse will contribute $1 (up to $20,000) to the cause.